Hi lovelies! How is everyone and what have I missed?
Barcelona + Tom = amazing weekend! It was incredibly windy and cold (as opposed to last week’s 16 degrees!) so we were wrapped up and kept walking into shops and cafes just to keep warm. The city was beautiful, though, so it was all worth it. I hadn’t had a sore throat in a while, so of course my body decided this would be the best time to act up, but Tom is a sweetheart and got me some hot chocolate before bed and lemons in the morning so our Valentine’s was saved! We mostly spent it eating and in the metro talking about important things like the soul/body division and space. It was perfect.
So being a tourist for the weekend made me realize the importance of not looking like one; we all know pointing upwards every few meters and wearing a camera around our necks are obvious no-nos, but having a huge sign in red print that reads ‘I’m a tourist — come get me’ may lie in the subtleties. Here’s how to avoid that and a few tips to keep in mind while you’re out exploring the world:
- Know where you’re going. Metro stations you need to get off on, bus numbers and relevant street names.
- If you must check your map, do it in a cafe or inside a shop.
- Bring only the cash you’ll need for the day, preferably in small bills (seems simple enough, but I’ve seen a couple of people flashing big bills around! The reason they are so noticeable is because not many people walk around with them…And they tend to come in pretty colors.)
- Keep change and metro/bus tickets separate from your wallet so you don’t have to keep reaching for it.
- Dress as you would at home, keeping in mind the local weather. Unless of course, you’re going on a Safari across India or something that would require shorts or hiking gear. Keep in mind dress codes you might have to adhere to depending on the culture you’re visiting. *There seems to be a common misconception that Southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy) are always warm and sunny year-round. This is only really true in the summer months, but even then there are alternatives to wearing shorts and sandals: skirts and dresses for women, light pants for men, stay away from synthetic fibers and you’re good to go!
- Pay attention to your choice of bag — big sporty bags are usually a good sign you’re a tourist.
- Be wary of people who stop you for help/conversation/etc in the middle of the street; just keep walking and shake your head in a “No, sorry” motion.
- Look for street names subtly, definitely not pointing or straining to look upward for them!
- Keep your camera in a regular bag or purse, avoiding camera bags and backpacks! While taking a photo, do hang it around your neck so that nobody can snatch it from you. But as soon as you snap just put it back in there.
- Be polite — research local customs before your trip and if possible learn a few keywords in the local language; most people try to help out someone making the effort to communicate in their language.
- If you want to experience the authentic local culture, stray away from tour guide books and guided tours and ask at your hotel lobby (or in any shop) what areas of the city might be interesting for you to check out.
The point isn’t to blend in completely, but to avoid becoming an easy target for savvy local robbers. Always keep an eye out and notice your surroundings!
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We all know the deal — in a relationship, every day should be Valentine’s Day. Designating a specific day of the year to celebrate your love is redundant and the Hallmark Holiday is bound to drain your pockets. Some of us used to be rebels, but somewhere along the road we became smitten with someone, and now Valentine’s Day seems like a good excuse to maybe show a little bit more affection than usual; cuddling with some popcorn and a movie, exchange of hand-made gifts or even a fancy dinner out.
Unfortunately, there are still those who despite wanting to be extra cheesy with their significant other, can’t due to a slight problem: living in a different country (or state/city.) Here’s what you can do for your sweetheart for a long distance Valentine’s Day:
- Send them a video of you singing to them, reading poetry, or just talking about how amazing they are. Be creative with editing!
- Make them something cute on Photoshop (follow tutorials if you’d like) and post it on their Facebook for everyone to see! If you’d like to keep it more private just email it to them.
- Send them a package with all sorts of goodies: a mix CD/tape, handwritten letters, candy, a personalized bookmark…
- Text them at different times during the day with cute quotes.
- Set up a Skype date! Dress up, have some champagne and watch something together.
- If you have been saving up (and if you haven’t, keep this in mind for future reference), buy yourself a ticket to your love and show up unannounced the morning of Valentine’s Day. Have their friends or family help you out if needed.
- Send them a sexy self portrait along with some coupons for possible activities on your next encounter!
- Prepare a gift, any gift, to send. Have it sent to their friend or relative and have them help you hide it. Next, send them clues (a letter per day two days before Valentine’s, or through email, Facebook, texts…), of where to find it. With each clue, include information on what this might be. If everything goes well they should find it on the day :)
- If you are close enough, send them a cake or small cupcakes with a note!
- Send them a box of candy. Wrap each individual candy in a little note where you tell them something you love about them.
- Whatever you decide to send, do it without previous warning!
Last year I spent Valentine’s Day in Miami with my mother while Tom was still in Beijing. Luckily, this year I get to spend it with him in Barcelona :) It has obviously been planned, but on the actual day we have decided to cuddle, have room service and get drunk on wine.
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
At some point or other we’ve come across foods that appear to be incredibly delicious, but decide to take a pass in case we make a fool out of ourselves trying to eat them properly. Such tricky foods like to make an appearance at fancy dinners, or your first date, when it’s important to let your gracefulness shine through. Next time you have a scary dish staring you in the face, try to keep these things in mind:
When eating…
Lobster
It’s best to put away any jewelry and make sure a napkin is nearby before starting with this guy!
- Some people leave this for later, but if you are super hungry and need a little taste before all the hard work ahead, start by gently twisting the legs to remove them. Suck the meat out out as you would though a straw.
The Claws
- Twist off the two claws at the first joint. Separate the two parts of the claw and remove the meat from the smaller part with a seafood fork/your finger.
- Use the cracker provided to crack the tips of the claws. With your forefinger (or pinky finger if your fingers are a bit chubby, like mine), push the meat from the cracked tip through the larger opening.
- Dip into delicious buttery sauce.
The Tail
- To separate the tail, hold it with one hand and the body with the other, and twist.
- Remove the small “flippers” from the end, which you can also eat.
- With your fingers, push into the end of the tail where the flippers had been attached, and push out the tail meat through the larger opening.
- Peel off the top of the tail and remove the digestive organs before you eat the meat!
Dip your hands in the lemony sauce, dry with napkin and continue with your meal.
Crab
- Crabs are significantly less work than lobsters. Simply remove the legs and suck their meat, as you would with the lobster’s.
- Next, crack the shell open and remove the meat with a fork. Enjoy!
Shrimp
Usually, in a fancy dinner your shrimp may come peeled with the tail attached; in this case, hold it by the tail with your fingers and eat. In some places, like here in Spain, it is normal for you to have to do all the peeling. In my opinion it tastes better this way! In this case:
- Start by gently twisting the head off from the body. Some people like to suck this part; I’m not such a fan.
- Remove the small legs by pulling on them. This will tear the bottom part of the body, which will make it easy to peel off the shell.
- Leave the tail so that you can hold it. Dip it in the sauce and eat!
Sushi
- Wash your hands with the warm towel provided.
- Put a little bit of soy sauce in the small dish, but don’t fill it to the brim! You may add wasabi and mix it in, but sushi usually contains a little bit already so it isn’t necessary if you don’t want it to be too strong.
- When eating hand-pressed sushi (nigiri-zushi), pick up one piece with your index and middle finger and put your index finger on top. Dip the fish side into the soy sauce, NOT the rice as it will fall apart! Bite in half, and dip again into sauce before you finish it.
- For hand-rolled sushi (maki-zushi), dip into soy sauce with chopsticks and eat in one bite.
- Optional: eat pieces of ginger in between to refresh your palate and enhance the flavor!
Chicken Wings
This video explains it best!
Olives
They may not seem as scary or complicated as these others, but still there is a simple etiquette to be followed when eating olives.
- As hors d’oeuvres (or appetizers) it’s alright to eat them with your hands. Stuffed olives are usually most common, but still watch out for the “bone”!
- In a salad or part of a dish, just eat with a fork as you would everything else.
- In a cocktail, drink the contents first and then tip the glass back so the olive falls into your mouth.
Unfortunately there is no graceful way to eat burritos, tacos, ribs or large burgers.
What are your tips for eating tricky foods?
You create your thoughts, your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality. — Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
I remember a friend of my mother’s, back when we were in Miami: Brazilian, loud, cooked amazingly and yelled at cars who got in her way. She was very spiritual as well, and one of the things I remember most clearly after 11 years is her Treasure Map. “This is my house in Key Biscayne, my car is parked right outside. Over there is my family who have moved from Brazil, and I’m over here running my own business.” These were magazine clippings and old photographs glued on to a cardboard, scrapbook style, and they were there as a visualization of her goals.
She taught me about the Law of Attraction, which I loved the concept of. So the next day I convinced my father to take me to a huge art supply store just off of the US 1 so that I could get some cardboard paper for my Treasure Map. Of course I was only nine at the time, so my Treasure Map consisted mainly of roller blades, a new set of paints and glitter, as well as a sticker book and a lot of stickers to trade with my friends.
Some people write things down, put them in a drawer and believe if it’s meant to be it will come to them. But I say: don’t underestimate the power of visualization. The mind associates objects and ideas with images, be they simple or complex. Visualizing a certain situation can invoke the emotions that come with it; that way, if you suffer from stage fright, imagining yourself in front of a crowd ready to give a speech might make your palms a little sweaty. So in the same way, if you visualize success, you will experience a taste of what it would feel like — it’s about taking that bit of energy and turning it into motivation to attract that which you want for yourself.
Before you create it:
- Sit down with yourself quietly and think of what you want — what you truly want! Don’t think yourself selfish, just start with a clear goal in mind. Go beyond material things; think about where you’d like to see yourself in the near future and with who!
- It can be in the form of a posterboard on your wall, maybe a corkboard inside a fancy frame, your computer desktop or even a video if you’re feeling extra creative!
- It’s best to keep it private, you know, like a treasure!
- Be in a good mood, because only positive things will go on it.
Creating your Treasure Map/Vision Board:
- Go through magazines and We Heart It for images that represent what you love and want.
- Draw, glue, fold cut and write. Rhinestones, glitter, feathers…Whatever works!
- Include at least one photograph of yourself to ground the goal and bring it closer to you, preferably in the center!
- Add positive affirmations.
- Once you’re satisfied, put it up somewhere where you’ll see it often.
Now all you have to do is put your dreams to action; it doesn’t matter how many things are up on your map if there is no intent on your part to making it happen. We can’t leave everything up to the Universe, you know!
To party
- Know where you’re going and assess the situation; dress accordingly (seemingly straightforward, but not.) Six inch heels might not be the best choice for dancing the night away but could look cute for a lounge bar kind of atmosphere. It would also be useful to estimate your chances of drinking one too many Margaritas and tripping over those shoes…trust me on that one.
- Coat-check before you run to the bar to make sure your valuables are safe.
- Hydrate in between drinks. Be wary of sneaky cocktails whose sugary taste conceals the effectsof alcohol.
- Stay classy ladies. If you’re wearing a skirt or dress, make sure it doesn’t ride up! Same with tops that could potentially slip down…
- For winter: layers. For summer: keep a cardigan or thin jacket around.
- If you are a smoker, please watch where you’re pointing your cigarette as you’re squeezing through the crowd; cigarette burns have ruined many a pair of tights, and their scars are not pretty either.
- Sing as loud as you want, even if you can’t sing. If you don’t know the lyrics it might be OK to just dance instead ;)
- For dancing on tables or chairs, get a group of friends to go for it for optimal fun.
- If the place is so packed that you can barely move, it might be safer to stick to the sides (as opposed to the middle of the dancefloor) just in case. Call me paranoid, but if there’s a reason to run, I’ll be the first one out!
In your bag
- Makeup/hand wipes for runny makeup.
- Mascara & eyeliner to touch up; don’t bother with eyeshadow.
- Mint gum for any lingering alcohol breath.
- Flats to replace heels in case of unbearable pain.
- Extra coins for the metro/bus so you don’t have to take your pass/card/ticket everywhere.
- Cocolate just in case you get the munchies on your way home. Candy works too.
If you wait ’til the metro opens to go home
- Keep a cardigan or sweater to wear over (of course there’s no need to worry about this in winter as you’ll have a coat to hide your party wear.)
- Wear your flats and put your heels away.
- Attend to your face; wipe away any runny makeup or get rid of it altogether with those makeup wipes.
- More gum for alcohol breath.
- Add a pair of sunglasses and tie your hair up.
- In Spanish we have a saying that goes: He who goes to bed drunk has water for breakfast. Get ahead and buy a water bottle somewhere to drink on your way home.
Once you’re home
- Take a shower and rinse out all the cigarette smell from your hair. I used to do this for a while but found it more annoying each time; if you can’t be bothered to shower, make sure you wash off all your makeup. Wash your face and brush your teeth.
- Have some more water.
- If you’re still tipsy from those Margaritas and your head is spinning, keep a foot flat on the floor as you sleep.
If your head is throbbing the morning after
- Unfortunately there is no cure for hangovers, only ways to minimize their awful effects.
- Don’t go to class/work, it will prove utterly useless.
- Stay away from coffee; have a banana shake instead.
- More water.
- Don’t try to eat until your body is hungry.
- Don’t go for fried goodies. Start with some bread, then move on to sugary foods to restore blood sugar.
- Vegetable soup for lunch.
- Painkillers will work for headaches, antacids for upset stomachs.
- Read this.
- Don’t look at last night’s photos. Call your best friend to fill in each other’s blackouts, lament the state you are both in. If you discover something ridiculous might have happened, turn to Facebook for proof. If it’s not there, it didn’t happen.
My weekend starts tonight! Any other tips for partying right?
